A Young Tzar Aware Of the Need for Reform
Peter the Great during his youth became convinced of the need to reform the Russian state in order for the monarchy to survive and then go on to strengthen its position both domestically and internationally. Peter had to wait until the death of his half brother Ivan during the year 1696 to become the sole ruler of Russia.
Peter the Great believed that far-reaching and fundamental reforms were needed to modernise Russia in order for the country and its imperial dynasty to prosper despite been surrounded by enemies such as Sweden, Poland-Lithuania, and the Ottoman Empire. Peter the Great decided that reforms were so vitally important for the future of Russia that they needed to be carried without any regard for their financial and human costs.
Peter And Foreign Advisors
Peter the Great brought in foreign advisors to carry out wide-ranging financial, fiscal, military, and naval reforms to transform Russia from a backward country to being a great power. Peter the Great also ensured that Russia adopted the best practices, techniques, and technologies from Western European countries. For instance the Russian army copied the tactics of the Swedes and the Prussians, whilst its navy was built up with help from the British as well as the Dutch.
The reforms of Peter the Great were brutally introduced into Russia, all opponents including Peter's only son were imprisoned or executed. The fiscal and financial reforms partially modernised the Russian economy yet not enough to support the expansion of the Russian military.
The Rewards Of Reform, Military Success
In military terms the reforms of Peter the Great were successful as Russia gained territory at the expense of Sweden and the Ottoman Empire. Peter the Great also took an interest in making gains from Poland-Lithuania, as did Branndenburg-Prussia and the Habsburgs.
Russia was the largest gainer from the Great Northern War against Sweden, when its alliance with Branndenburg-Prussia and Saxony proved fruitful for all parties. The greatest Russian victory was at the Battle of Poltava in 1709, a very decisive defeat that Sweden never fully recovered from.
When the Great Northern War ended in 1721 Russia kept hold of its gains in the Baltic. Peter the Great decided to build a new capital city in the new territories, St Petersburg. The Baltic territories also meant that the Russian navy had improved its access to the sea.
Bibliography
Crystal D (1998) Chambers’ Biographical Encyclopedia, 2nd edition, Edinburgh
Holmes R, (2007) Battlefield, Oxford University Press, Oxford
Lenman B, (2004) Chambers Dictionary of World History, Edinburgh
